Grapplers disappoint, fail to bag medals
In the absence of India’s best bet Yogeshwar Dutt, who pulled out at the last minute due to an injury, India once again faltered in the World Championship with all four women wrestlers bowing out of the event in the initial stages of their respective categories here.
Yogeshwar was scheduled to fight in men’s 65kg freestyle category on Friday but due to a knee injury he was forced to pull out of the tournament, leaving the slot void of any Indian participation. Four Indian women grapplers, including veteran Geeta Phogat, could not make it to the medal round.
In 58kg category, Geeta initially went down to Japan’s Kaori Icho 0-10 in the qualification round, but since her Japanese opponent reached the finals, she got a chance to fight in repechage.
However, she failed to enter the bronze medal play-off round as she lost her repechage.
YUKI EASES INTO SHANGHAI SEMIS
SHANGHAI: Continuing his impressive run, Yuki Bhambri progressed to the singles semifinals of the $50,000 ATP Challenger tournament, here. The fourth seed Indian saw off Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 11 minutes in the quarterfinals.
Yuki, who is yet to drop a set in this tournament, did not face a single breakpoint and broke his rival twice in each set.
KASHYAP LOSES AS INDIA’S CAMPAIGN ENDS
TOKYO: Top shuttler Parupalli Kashyap was knocked out in the men’s singles quarterfinal, ending India’s campaign at the $ 2,75,000 Japan Open Super series here. The world number 8 bowed after suffering a 14-21, 18-21 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s sixth seed Chou Tien Chen in just 42 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Kashyap was the lone Indian who entered the quarterfinals after Saina Nehwal, K Srikanth and H S Prannoy had lost their respective second round matches.
INDIA GRAB TENNIS GOLD, END CYG AT 5TH
APIA (SAMOA): India ended their Commonwealth Youth Games campaign in style by winning two out of the four gold on offer on the final day and finishing fifth in the medal tally here.